Zaha was very impressive in Palace's penalty shootout defeat in the League Cup to Cardiff City on Tuesday night and it is understood that Trotters' boss Owen Coyle had scouts watching him at the game. Those scouts gave Coyle glowing reports about the youngster.

The Bolton manager has money to spend after the sale of Gary Cahill to Chelsea and he wants to re-invest some of that money immediately with the purchase of Zaha.

Bolton may face competition for the teenager's signature from the likes of Newcastle and Stoke, but Palace are confident that a bidding war could commence, which would see his price tag rocket.

Coyle and his scouts turned their attentions to Zaha after Tottenham dithered about selling their other target Giovani Dos Santos. Villarreal are now expected to sign the Mexican playmaker.

Palace are expected to accept, albeit reluctantly, any serious offers for Zaha, and Bolton are expected to offer several clauses in the deal, including a percentage of any future sale.

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